ISSN:
1432-1106
Keywords:
Cerebellum
;
Hemicerebellectomy
;
Saccadic eye movements
;
Pursuit eye movements
;
Vestibulo-ocular reflex
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Unilateral cerebellar lobectomy was carried out in young and mature macaques. There is no significant abnormality in saccadic eye movement or in the vestibulo-ocular reflex. There is a constant drift of the eyes in the contralateral direction, and the abilities to maintain eccentric gaze and to make smooth pursuit movements are jointly affected. The syndrome is transient in young monkeys, and even bilateral cerebellar lobectomy carried out serially leaves some ability to hold eccentric gaze and pursue smoothly. The findings permit the conclusion that the primate oculomotor organization depends on the active maintainence of straight ahead gaze. Saccades move the eyes in a coordinated way, and are also associated with correlated innervation to hold the gaze in the new position. Since cerebellar interventions which cause centripetal drift also always produce defects in pursuit movements, the abilities to maintain eccentric gaze and to pursue smoothly must have a common origin.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00237165
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